News & Notes: April 2024

Study: RV Vacations Cost Less

A new study conducted by an independent firm has found that RV vacations cost considerably less than other types of vacation travel, even when factoring in fuel prices and the cost of RV ownership. According to the study, commissioned by Go RVing and the RV Industry Association, CBRE Hotels Advisory Group found an average cost savings of up to 60 percent for a four-person RV travel party and up to an average savings of 46 percent for a two-person travel party, depending on factors such as RV and vacation types.

The study compared different methods of travel, among them various styles of travel trailers and motorhomes. The vacation options evaluated included traveling in a personal car or via airline, and eating meals in restaurants or preparing them in a rental unit.

For the most common type of RV, the lightweight travel trailer, the average cost per day for the four-person camping vacation was found to be about 48 percent less than the average daily cost of a comparable four-person air/hotel vacation, and about 34 percent less than the average daily cost of a comparable four-person car/hotel vacation.

For the fastest-growing segment of RVs, Type B motorhomes, the average cost per day for the four-person camping vacation was found to be about 49 percent less than the average daily cost of a comparable four-person air/hotel vacation, and about 35 percent less expensive than the average daily cost of a comparable four-person car/hotel vacation.

The study included analysis of how fluctuations in fuel prices could affect RV travel. Researchers found that for a four-person travel party, it would take a rise in fuel prices to nearly $21 per gallon for a Type C motorhome vacation to be more expensive than the least expensive non-RV vacation. The Type A motorhome vacation remained less expensive than the upscale non-RV vacation unless the respective fuel costs increased to between $25.20 and $26.60 per gallon for diesel fuel and between $17.06 and $18 for gasoline.

The conclusion was that fuel costs are not likely to approach levels that would significantly impact the affordability of RV vacations versus other modes of travel in the foreseeable future. Research by Go RVing and the RV Industry Association shows that when fuel prices are higher, RVers save on fuel costs by driving fewer miles, taking trips closer to home, and staying longer in one destination.

Prevost Celebrates 100 Years

Throughout 2024, Prevost marks the 100th anniversary of the company’s founding and the first wooden-body coach created by Eugène Prévost with celebrations throughout the United States and Canada.

The anniversary kicked off in January at the American Bus Association Marketplace in Nashville, Tennessee. During the festivities, a multimedia historical journey culminated with the unveiling of “Clarisse” — a hand-built replica of the original wooden-body coach that Eugène Prévost fashioned in 1924. With her dark green exterior, black trim, and gleaming wooden interior, Clarisse will appear at many of Prevost’s 100th anniversary events. The coach also will be the “special guest” at seven Prevost service centers, where the company will recognize its employees and customers.

During the week of September 8, a homecoming rally will welcome Prevost motorhome owners to Quebec City, providing them an opportunity to reconnect with longtime friends, make new ones, and celebrate a shared interest in the Prevost lifestyle. For nearly a week, attendees will be immersed in the history of Prevost, Quebec City, and Sainte-Claire — where the company was founded and is still located to this day.

Throughout 2024, Prevost will share stories from its 100th anniversary on prevostcar.com, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media. The company encourages anyone to submit a favorite Prevost memory.

Fifth-Wheel Offers Dedicated E-Bike Storage

A new floor plan in Keystone RV’s flagship Montana fifth-wheel line is specifically designed for the United States’ fastest-growing recreational trend outside of pickleball — e-bikes. The Montana 3623EB debuted at the Florida RV SuperShow this past January.

“Our research revealed that two-thirds of fifth-wheel owners were traveling with e-bikes, or intended to, but no manufacturer was offering a way to store, protect, secure, and charge this ubiquitous and relatively expensive equipment . . . we quickly got to work to develop a well-designed solution,” said Keystone RV’s general manager Colin Dechant, who drove the initiative for the brand.

According to RVBusiness.com, Keystone turned to the research and development team of MORryde International to help design a rail-lift system that is both secure and easy to operate. Concurrently, the Montana design team delved into floor plan options that would accommodate interior e-bike storage and leverage the space for added functionality.

Montana’s new 3623EB adapts a customer-favorite rear living floor plan, separating what is traditionally one large kitchen and entertainment slideout into separate kitchen and “bike garage” slide boxes, RVBusiness.com reported. With access through a cargo door in the rear of the slideout, the bikes are loaded and secured via a patent-pending rail system. Built-in struts make it easy to tilt the loaded rail up and stow bikes in the slideout compartment, which also features a charging source. The storage compartment can be fully accessed from inside the RV as well and offers additional pantry storage.

For more information about the Montana 3623RB, visit keystonerv.com.

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Source: https://familyrvingmag.com/2024/04/01/news-notes-april-2024/